Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Badulla

Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

Profession: ---

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Speeches 176 #23 of 225·#11 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

176 speeches

24 October 2025 AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government is recognizing palmyrah as an economically significant crop and strengthening the Palmyrah Development Board to support technology, production, value addition and sustainable management. He stated that tree felling is restricted under the Felling of Trees (Control) Act, but stronger legal provisions are being pursued, while a 2025 programme will plant 120,000 seeds in the Northern and Eastern Provinces with Rs. 10 million allocated and Rs. 15 million proposed for 2026. He also outlined support for rural women and youth, exporter coordination, and efforts to expand palmyrah products in global markets, noting export earnings of Rs. 57.83 million in 2023, Rs. 228.6 million in 2024, and Rs. 203.19 million in the first four months of 2025. Oral Question: Palmyrah as a Crop of Significant Value (Q.6/2025) AgricultureEmploymentInfrastructure Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Minister Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government imposed import levies of Rs. 80 per kg on potatoes and Rs. 50 per kg on big onions to protect domestic farmers while seeking parliamentary approval for the relevant order. He said state and private sector purchasing mechanisms had been arranged, including Sathosa purchases and direct buying by Keells and Cargills at specified prices, with centres in areas such as Welimada/Bogahakumbura, Keppetipola, Dambulla, Thambuttegama and Jaffna. He also outlined plans to expand local seed potato production through tissue culture and state farm facilities, arguing that reducing dependence on imported seed and inputs is necessary to sustain cultivation. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) AgricultureCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Oil palm cultivation remains prohibited under Extraordinary Gazette No. 2222/13 of 05.04.2021, so no applications have been made to import seeds. The Minister stated that while certain palm oil imports are restricted under Gazette No. 2312/77 of 01.01.2023, licences are permitted for palm stearin and crude palm olein, with imports costing Rs. 8,067.3 million in 2023 and Rs. 11,079.66 million in 2024. He added that the main obstacle to cultivation is the continuing ban, and that a committee report on a reconsidered Cabinet decision regarding limited cultivation on Regional Plantation Company lands will be submitted for a policy decision. Oral Question: Oil Palm Cultivation and Imports (Q.11/2025) Agriculture Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that 2,056 houses are being built this year with Indian assistance and that Rs. 1,300 million from the Treasury is being used for infrastructure development, including 456 houses. He said 50 families displaced by the 2023 Kabaraagala, Haldummulla landslide, who had been housed in a closed factory for two years, are now receiving houses with roofing work and construction support from the Tri-Forces. He also stated that the Government is increasing estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700 to better meet living standards. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) InfrastructureLand & HousingCost of Living Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the Budget increased public servants’ basic salaries and that private-sector wages had also been raised within the legal framework. He said the Government is intervening with 69 estate employers to implement the President’s policy decision to raise estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to Hon. Jeevan Thondaman’s remark that the Government should not provide “a mere paper,” stating that the initiative represents more than documentation. He said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement at Hatton, marking 200 years, affirmed the Government’s commitment to provide land and house ownership, and that this promise is being implemented. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Land & Housing Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that legal ownership deeds will be issued for 2,056 houses as they are completed and handed over. He rejected claims that only informal papers were being provided, saying formal ownership documents would be granted in the presence of the President. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Land & Housing Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna assured the House that the public need not be alarmed regarding ownership deeds for completed houses in Bandarawela. He stated that while 2,056 completed houses cannot all be handed over in a single day, the deeds will be provided. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Land & Housing Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna responded to questions on the tea industry, stating that some factory closures were due to accidents or management and workforce shortages, and affirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the sector. He said the Kahagalla facility processes waste tea and is operating below capacity because only 20 workers are available out of the 155 needed. He also outlined a housing deed programme for the Malaiyaha community, saying 2,056 houses built with Indian assistance, each with basic infrastructure and 10-perch plots, will receive ownership deeds, with 237 ready for initial distribution at Bandarawela under the President’s leadership. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Land & HousingEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionAgriculture Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary The Minister reported that Sri Lanka received international recognition at a tea auction in Osaka, where New Vithanakanda Tea Factory won a gold award and set a Guinness record with black tea priced at USD 860 per kilo. Responding to Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, he stated that 662 tea factories are registered and 567 are producing in 2025, and rejected as false a claim that about 225 factories had closed this year. He said only six factories had closed in 2025 while ten previously closed factories had reopened, and added that the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority and Tea Research Institute are carrying out programmes to support sustainability and productivity. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Agriculture Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna rejected social media claims concerning the New Villages Development Authority for the Plantation Region (NEVIDA), stating that they were false. He said NEVIDA would be further strengthened to meet the aspirations of the plantation community. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure asks whether one minute can be allowed for another Member to speak. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna highlighted government cost-cutting measures, including auctioning luxury vehicles, reducing MPs’ insurance benefits, limiting ministerial vehicles and fuel allocations, and proposing legislation to abolish MPs’ pensions. He said the Government’s five-year manifesto was only at its first milestone and claimed progress in establishing a new political culture and enforcing the law against previously influential figures. He also cited higher export earnings in January-August 2025 compared with the previous year, including increases in tea and coconut export revenue. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary The Minister rejected claims that trade unions had undermined the plantation collective agreement, stating that negotiations with employers were continuing to secure a livable income for workers and that the government would take necessary measures. He highlighted increases in education and welfare allowances, including Mahapola, student stipends, Grade 5 scholarship support, vocational training payments, and assistance for low-income and vulnerable children. He also noted expanded fertilizer support, including raising the general subsidy to Rs. 25,000 and providing coconut fertilizer at a reduced price following a 55,000 MT shipment. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion EmploymentAgricultureEducation Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna defended the Government’s first year in office, contrasting it with what he described as failed promises and crises under previous administrations. He argued that predictions of economic collapse, religious restrictions, IMF disengagement, and renewed shortages had not materialized, and said the Government had rebuilt reserves, maintained economic stability, and avoided fuel, gas, and milk powder queues. He highlighted action against underworld activity, narcotics and corruption, claiming the law was being applied equally to powerful figures. He also cited increased welfare allowances and salaries, and said discussions were continuing on advancing the estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Tea Research Institute is already involved in the matter raised and that private sector investors in the tea sector are also being engaged. He welcomed the Member’s support to help take the initiative forward. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Agriculture Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary K. V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that fertilizer policy falls under the National Fertilizer Secretariat and said the proposal should be discussed with that body. He noted that the Government relies on the Tea Research Institute’s recommendations for tea cultivation, including ongoing trials on biochar from bamboo and other sources. He acknowledged declining soil quality and said both chemical and organic inputs are needed to sustain yields, with further discussions to follow through the relevant authorities. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Agriculture Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary The Minister replied to a question on declining raw tea leaf production, noting that Sri Lanka’s tea output peaked in 2013 and has fallen since 2015, with soil nutrient depletion and acidity among the contributing factors. He said the Tea Research Institute has confirmed the potential of biochar, including from bamboo and other plants, to rehabilitate tea soils and is continuing research on fertilizer efficiency, soil health, and suitable raw materials, with government funding allocated. He added that tea sector institutions have prepared strategic plans, and TRI recommendations will be implemented through the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Smallholder Tea Development Authority once research is completed. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Agriculture Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Rs. 2,000 million has been allocated through the Tea Board and the Ministry for a QR-based fertilizer support scheme for tea smallholders, to be launched at Walipanne. Registered growers are being verified through a dedicated app and factory leaf-supplier lists, with disbursement from October 1 through multiple suppliers using QR codes. The scheme will provide a Rs. 4,000 subsidy per 50-kg fertilizer bag and will allocate support based on leaf supply volumes rather than acreage, with further field-level briefings to follow. Oral Answers to Questions AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said any nurseries not reflected in Tea Board or TSHDA records would be investigated, including whether they were supported through other projects or in previous years. He stated that if state funds had been politically misdirected and projects had failed, the matter would be inquired into and findings provided. Oral Answers to Questions Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →